by Ava Frost
A gentle tapping sounded on the door and I quickly pulled a robe around my shoulders before answering. Paul stood before me, his arms wrapped, enveloping his brother protectively. Andrew sobbed uncontrollably as I ushered them both into the room.
“I am sorry to disturb you Miss Jane, but Papa left with the others and I didn’t know what else to do,” Paul explained with a nod in Andrew’s direction.
“That is fine, I’m glad you came to me,” I reassured him as I embraced them both in a tight hug.
They were clearly scared as they snuggled beside me on the bed, though Paul tried to appear brave for the sake of Andrew. Even so I could see his brief glances out of the window, searching the horizon in the hope of his father’s return.
As Andrew’s tears finally subsided I wiped his damp cheeks gently with a handkerchief. He offered me a small smile of thanks looking at me sheepishly as if embarrassed by his outburst. Given a sudden idea I jumped up, pulling the boys along with me. Laughing at their stunned expressions as we ran down the stairs.
“How about we give Clara a hand and get some bread in the oven before she gets here? And I’m sure we can manage to put some coffee on the stove, ready for when your Papa and the ranch hands return,” I told them cheerfully.
The boys simply looked around the large kitchen in awe while nodding slowly. Watching in wonder as I collected the ingredients that we needed from the larder. After we had all washed our hands I began to instruct them in how to measure things out on the scales. I was amazed at how quickly they learned and seemed to be truly enjoying themselves.
By the time Clara came into the room the three of us were covered in flour, laughing raucously. She looked stunned to see us there, clearly not expecting to have found that her kitchen had been invaded.
“Morning Clara. The boys and I thought we would come and get breakfast started for you,” I welcomed her with a bright smile.”
“So I see,” she laughed.
Paul and Andrew proudly presented her with the bread that they had made before putting the dough in the oven to bake. Coffee was already bubbling in its pot so I began to squeeze some fresh oranges for their juices. But before I could send the boys upstairs to wash and dress we heard the sound of approaching hooves. With a whoop of joy they raced outside and I quickly followed them.
All the men looked exhausted as they dismounted, their shirts creased from the hard ride. Carla rushed out holding a large tray filled with mugs of steaming coffee, everyone stepping forward to accept readily.
John eyed the boys curiously as they ran to greet him, seeing how their nightclothes were colored white. Still he hugged them both warmly as they told him excitedly that they had made the mornings bread with me.
“Well I think it’s time that you went to wash up ready for breakfast,” John instructed them.
“They learn fast,” I smiled while watching the boys run back inside.
“Though I am not sure that learning how to bake bread is an appropriate lesson for them.”
Suddenly infuriated I stood before him with my hands on my hips defiantly. A hush fell over the other men as tension mounted in the air. John’s eyes glowered at me yet still I remained steadfast as I began to speak.
“How dare you! Those boys have had more fun this morning than what they have in ages. You simply rode off with the others and left them here alone and frightened. And I will have you know that baking that bread has shown that they can understand how to measure things and use their arithmetic skills. So it hasn’t been the pointless lesson that you seem to think it was Mr. Christian,” I spat before turning on my heel and storming back in to the house.
In front of the other’s I had managed to remain aloof, but once inside I began to gasp for breath. My heart was left pounding as the realization of what I had just done slowly sank in. For me to speak to my employer in such a way, and in front of an audience would surely mean my dismissal.
I jumped as the kitchen door opened and a shadowy figure appeared, lit within the morning sunlight which shone through. Blinking rapidly from the sudden glare I became filled with nerves as John stepped into the room.
“Jane, I do not appreciate how you have just spoken to me in front of the others. However I have considered what you said and understand why you reacted as you did,” he began.
Remaining silent I waited for John to continue, still unsure what he would say about what had just happened out in the yard.
“However, we are having problems with rustlers at the moment and so I need to be on hand on the ranch. I will go and speak to the boys and apologize for leaving them frightened. But at the end of the day Jane, you were employed here to care for them as you can see how busy I am with the ranch,” he finished.
“I understand that John, but I also need you to let me have more control with regard to their lessons. I have a different approach to things than you, but I need you to trust in how I handle things,” I explained.
Nodding slowly John reluctantly agreed, knowing that stopping the rustlers had to be his main priority for a while. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief that he hadn’t simply fired me for being insubordinate. Grateful that although I had only been here a matter of days that he would allow me to take over with regard to his sons.
So while John and the other men rode across the fields to ensure the safety of the cattle, I ensured that Paul and Andrew were kept occupied. We used pigments of reds, oranges, blues and white to create hand paintings for the walls of the classroom. I even stitched some new drapes to brighten the window.
Every day I took the boys on long walks, them showing me areas of the ranch that I was yet to discover. They especially loved to go to the creek, jumping into the water and climbing the wet rocks with ease. I sat among the grasses on the banking, watching them as they laughed happily.
Yet it was at the end of the day that cheered me most. Seeing how Paul and Andrew would sit beside their father during supper. John struggling to understand what they were saying as they talked over each other. Both of them desperate to tell him everything that we had done together and the fun that they had had. I caught the odd glance that John gave me as he listened to them, a small smile of thanks playing on his lips.
Chapter 5
It was a glorious Friday afternoon when I headed back to the stables. The boys had been sent to gather firewood for the ovens so I had some welcomed time to myself. I had grown close to Paul and Andrew over the past few weeks, settling in well with everyone who worked and lived on the ranch.
The only stall that was occupied housed Chestnut, Faye’s beloved horse. His deep brown eyes looked sad as he watched me draw closer. Yet he seemed to welcome the touch of my hand as I began to stroke his silky mane.
So much time had passed since I last rode a horse, or even spent any real time around stables. Growing up, that was the one place where my family could always find me. Either grooming the horses or out exercising them. But after the deaths of Papa and my brothers the thought of mounting a horse again just caused my heart to ache.
Until now I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it all. The aromas of polished leather and fresh straw filling my nostrils as I nuzzled Chestnuts strong neck. Lost within my own memories I started when I heard Sam’s voice behind me.
“You really like to push John’s buttons don’t you,” he chuckled.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I frowned.
“The outburst in the yard about the boys, and now you are here fussing Chestnut when I warned you how he feels about the horse.”
“But John isn’t even around at the moment,” I pointed out.
“Very true,” Sam answered.
Leading his horse into its stall Sam gave me a slight wink as he passed which sent a chill down my spine. Sarah had warned me that he had a reputation of being something of a ladies man. Always leaving the ranch late at night to go to the saloon in town and was often seen with the dancing girls who worked there.
I could understand the ladies a
ttraction to Sam, with his tanned skin and strong jaw. A slight stubble could always be seen on his chin while he tied back his shoulder length brown hair in a ponytail. He was a very handsome man, and so it came as no surprize to hear that there were plenty of women eager to spend time with him.
I chastised myself for being so judgmental though, Sam had been nothing but polite since my arrival here. Still I tensed slightly as he moved to join me beside Chestnut giving me a broad smile.
“So, does John allow you an evening off?” he asked.
“Yes of course.”
“Well when that next night comes I would like to take you to the saloon in town.”
“Thank you, but I really don’t think that it would be appropriate,” I politely replied.
“It’s only two friends going for a drink together.” Sam pushed.
“And as I have said, it would not be proper.”
“I’m sure John wouldn’t mind his Nanny walking out with one of his trusty ranch hands,” he answered with a smirk.
“And the lady has declined,” a gruff voice sounded from the stable door.
I was startled by the sound, not having heard any footsteps approach. John’s figure cast a shadow through the sunlight from outside and I was unable to see the expression on his face. But as he stepped into the light I could see his green eyes spark with anger, noticing how Sam’s persona immediately changed.
“Sorry John, I was just trying to treat the new addition to the family to a night out,” he said apologetically.
“It is perhaps a better idea that we celebrate Jane joining us by a party here that everyone can enjoy.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Sam answered as he excused himself.
Left alone I shifted nervously as John’s intense stare seemed to penetrate my body. In contrast to the chill that I felt from Sam’s stare the sensation from meeting John’s eyes caused a bolt of electricity to surge through me.
Though he came across to people as being stringent and aloof, I could see the pain buried deeply as he struggled to look toward his wife’s horse. The same expression still reflected in my own mirror image when I thought of my own loss.
“I don’t think that having this nag here is a positive influence on my sons. So I have arranged for a friend to collect him in the morning.”
My mouth fell open aghast at John’s words, wondering how he could consider such a thing. But my heart went out to him as I thought of how my own opinions had changed since losing my family. Gently I touched his hand, turning his cheek so that he couldn’t avoid my stare.
“John your sons love this horse just as much as your wife did. To take him away would only deepen their feeling of loss.”
“Such a negative reminder should be removed,” John answered matter-of-factly.
“A negative reminder for who? You or the boys! Do you even know how often they come to pet him. But always with a laugh rather than a tear as they remember their mother riding him,” I stressed.
“It is my decision,” John persisted.
“Ok so allow the boys the chance to say goodbye at least.”
“Chestnut is being collected at eleven in the morning. I shall leave you in charge of the final farewells.”
Seeing the tears brimming in John’s eyes as he left I decided not to push the issue further. With a renowned sense of determination I began to think of something to change John’s mind before he allowed Chestnut to leave.
Chapter 6
The eastern sky had barely begun to redden when I snuck into the room that Paul and Andrew shared. Still in our nightclothes we stole across to the stables, Andrew immediately running to hug Chestnut. Paul looked up at me curiously while his brother was pre-occupied.
“Why have you brought us to see Mama’s horse?” he asked quietly.
“Your father is sending him away this morning so I thought you would want to come and say goodbye,” I answered sadly.
“But Papa can’t get rid of Chestnut!” Andrew wailed.
I tried to comfort the young boy, devastated that he had overheard me. Paul’s face was also solemn as what I had just said slowly sunk in. My heart went out to them both as I recalled my own feeling of loss when the horses were taken from my family’s ranch.
“I’ve been thinking about some way that we can persuade your father to change his mind. Perhaps if he saw you riding Chestnut…..” I began.
“Mama was the only one who could ride him, everyone else he just bucked,” Paul interrupted with a glum smile.
“Why don’t you try Miss Jane?” Andrew chirped up, giving me a look of hope.
“But I…”
“Please Miss Jane, it may be the only way.” Paul reasoned.
I couldn’t bear the sight of their pleading eyes so I finally agreed to try. Though I had petted Chestnut before I still advanced toward him cautiously. Clearly he hadn’t been ridden since Faye’s death two years ago and I wasn’t sure how he would react.
There had been many times at home when I rode bareback, so I simply slipped some reins over Chestnut’s head. He gave a loud snort but allowed me to lead him out into the morning air. Stroking his back I spoke to him soothingly as the boys watched my every move in wonder. I felt the horse tense as I mounted, but was stunned when he allowed me to sit astride him. Relaxing I geed Chestnut into a gentle trot, seeing the look of delight on the boys faces that I was able to ride him.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?!”
Bringing Chestnut to an abrupt halt I quickly dismounted to the sound of John’s yell. The boys ran to my side as their father strode purposefully across the yard. His face was stern and his green eyes sparked angrily as he glowered at me.
“No one but my wife rides that horse. And I told you yesterday that he was being moved this morning. That the boys were just to come and say their goodbyes, not for you to ride him!” John barked.
Before I could speak Andrew took a step forward, squaring his shoulders bravely as he looked up at his father.
“We asked Miss Jane to ride Chestnut. Mama wouldn’t want him stuck in the stables all the time. And she would be so cross if she knew you were going to get rid of him. You may not like him being here, but me and Paul do and it’s not fair of you to take him away from us. Chestnut is part of the family and you can’t just get rid of him like that.”
My breath caught in my throat as I waited for how John would respond, Paul suddenly gripping my hand tightly. Silence hung in the air and I could see the conflicting emotions that crossed his face as he stared back at his son. Expecting him to become angry by Andrew’s defiance I was left stunned when John’s face softened and he scooped him up into his arms. He beckoned Paul to his side and hugged them both tightly, his eyes meeting mine appreciatively.
“Well if you think that would be what your mother would want then who am I to argue,” he said softly as he kissed the tops of their heads.
They all looked so happy together my heart swelled with warmth at the sight. But as I turned to take Chestnut back to his stall I felt a gentle hand on my arm. Each boy hugged me in turn, thanking me before running off to dress for breakfast.
“And I want to thank you as well Jane. I never knew that the boys felt so strongly about the horse.”
“I thought you were going to shout at Andrew for speaking up to be honest,” I admitted.
“No, I’m proud of him for having the courage to do so. Neither of them have spoken much since losing their mother. But since you have been here I have seen the change in them and I am grateful to you for that.”
“Just doing my job,” I answered with a shy smile.
John opened his mouth to add something further, but the sound of Sam’s voice calling stopped him in his tracks. Instead he excused himself and ran around toward the bunkhouse to see what was wrong.
As I gave Chestnut a brush down after his brief exercise I wondered about John. Though I had been here for a while now I had spent little time with him, only seeing him during mealtimes
or when he visited the classroom to see the boys.
Yet he seemed such a complex character and I was struggling to discover the man hidden behind the façade that he showed when in front of everyone. Still thinking of John I walked straight into Seth’s path as he came to begin work in the stables.
“You look lost in thought again Jane,” he chuckled as he caught my arm to steady me.
“I know,” I smiled. “Just thinking about John….and the boys of course.”
“Well I predicted that you would stir things up around here, and it seems that I was right.”
“I haven’t done anything really,” I blushed.
“Those boys are the happiest that I have seen them in years. And I have seen how John looks at you. You have done more since being here than you could ever imagine,” Seth soothed.
Elated by Seth’s words of reassurance I headed back to my room. Already the aromas of bacon and eggs cooking filled the air and my stomach began to rumble hungrily. Gathering my nightgown in one hand I ran up the stairs to wash and dress before joining the others.
“Jane.”
Skidding to a halt upon the wooden floor boards I felt startled by the sudden call of my name. Sam stepped from the shadows and I faltered from the sight of him lurking upon the landing. Instinctively I pulled the gown I wore tighter around my pert breasts, feeling uncomfortable by the way that he ogled me.
“I’m sorry to have startled you. I just wanted to ask again if you would consider coming to town with me. Hopefully this time without John interrupting us,” Sam smiled as his eyes roamed over my body.
“I really don’t think it is such a good idea. We work and live here on the same ranch Sam, I’m sorry.”
“Give it time, I am sure that I will change your mind,” Sam answered as he skipped down the stairs.
